The train that helps feed the hungry
Canadian Pacific Railway’s (CP) Holiday Train is the little engine that not only could, but does, help feed communities across North America, including North Dakota. Minot has a rich history relating to railroads and soon a train of a truly modern sort will stop in the Magic City. Since 1999, two special Holiday Trains — one in Canada and one in the U.S. — have travelled the tracks during the holiday season to raise awareness of the fight against hunger and the importance of nutritious food, and to collect food and dollars for those in need. Last year, it’s estimated that more than $1.5 million (CDN) and 300,000 pounds of food were raised for local food banks and food shelves. Everything raised in each community stays in that community, and CP also makes donations at each stop The Holiday Train program began as an CP employee initiative, and the two special trains have raised more than $14.5 million (CDN) and 4.3 million pounds of food since their inaugural journeys back in 1999. “The momentum we see in the Holiday Train from year-to-year reinforces the good that we, and our partners at the food banks, are doing across North America,” Keith Creel, CP president and CEO said in a news release. The trains chug across the United States and Canada raising money and food for local food banks, and helping increase awareness of hunger issues. They travel roughly 10,000 kilometres each year, visiting more than 150 communities. The U.S. train will stop in Minot on Sun., Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Street crossing. Details are available at www.cpr.ca/holiday-train/united-states, and through Facebook and Twitter. Mac Mcleod, the executive director of the Minot Area Homeless Coalition, says the train provides a valuable service. “Though many people come out to see the train because of its uniqueness, decked out in all the lights, which is amazing, it is more so to raise awareness of the hunger need that exists,” he says. Last year, CP donated $6,000 to the Coalition, and more than 1,500 pounds of food was donated. The Coalition doesn’t keep the largesse collected, but passes it along to a number of organizations. “Instead of it going to one organization, it goes out to 11 different organizations that receive the blessing that comes from CP Rail and that way you get to more people than doing it just one place. So, yes, that cheque that they present to us, that $6,000 (US) would go a long way, but we believe in collaboration, and we work with every one of these organizations,” Mcleod says. Last year, the food donation went to the Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry; this year it will go to the Salvation Army. Macleod says, it is unfortunate that what are called soup kitchens are still needed, and the donations from the Holiday Train will help ensure that there is heartier food provided instead of just soup and a sandwich. “It helps us to continue to do what we’ve been doing, but to do it at a higher rate than we were doing before. People get a whole meal, it’s not just soup and a sandwich; it’s a meal,” he says. All of the organizations the Coalition contributes to are all not-for-profit organizations and not government funded. And, he points out that the need is yearround, not just during the holiday season. Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet long, and is made up of 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of technology-leading LED lights and holiday designs. Each has one modified boxcar that has been transformed into a travelling stage for performers. This year’s performers will be The Trews and Willy Porter. The concerts are free, but attendees are encouraged to make a donation to the local food bank — either a non-perishable food item or a cash donation. The arrival of this Holiday Train is eagerly awaited by everyone, with families and friends bundling up and heading down to the tracks to see the train, enjoy a festive evening and donate money or food for the food bank to directly help their neighbours. It’s the Christmas spirit and the North Dakota sense of community all wrapped up into a heart-warming bundle of Yuletide joy. Santa may have to trade in his reindeer and take the train!
Though many people come out to see the train because of its uniqueness, decked out in all the lights, which is amazing, it is more so to raise awareness of the hunger need that exists. Mac Mcleod